Picture Quality / Size Options (7.5)
The Canon PowerShot SX100 IS is equipped with an 8-megapixel 1/2.5-inch CCD sensor that allows for a full range of recordable resolution and compression settings. With the function/set button, users can choose from the following picture sizes and resolutions: 8M Large (3264 x 2448-pixel resolution), 5M Medium 1 (2592 x 1944), 3M Medium 2 (2048 x 1536), 2M Medium 3 (1600 x 1200), 0.3M Small (640 x 480), Postcard (1600 x 1200), and Widescreen (3264 x 1832). Postcard mode, as the name implies, is optimized for postcard printing at a 3:2 width-to-height ratio with 2-megapixel resolution and Fine compression.
For all other picture sizes besides Postcard, users can select from three compression settings: Normal (lowest compression quality), Fine, and Superfine (highest quality). Like most point-and-shoots, the SX100 IS does a good job of providing enough size options to turn stills into large prints or e-mail as Web resolution images.
Picture Effects Mode (7.0)
Before shooting, users can set the camera to record stills and movies in different colors or heightened effects. By hitting the function/set button, the screen draws up a variety of Color modes: Off, Vivid, Neutral, Sepia, Black-and-white, and Custom. In Custom color, users can further adjust contrast, saturation, and sharpness in five-step values. The LCD also provides live preview to help users distinguish between each setting before applying the picture effects.
